Symona's Salsa

1 can diced tomatoes

1 can Rotel (mild)

Roma tomatoes, chopped (added 1 or so to the tomatoes above, can also use instead of diced tomatoes)

1 bunch cilantro, chopped

1 medium onion, chopped

1-2 limes to taste (I used 2 last time)

minced garlic, 1-2 tsp (I used about 1 last time)

salt, 1 tsp

pepper, about 1/2-3/4 tsp

cumin, about 1 tsp

1 jalapeño, diced

Chop and mix!  Super delicious!

Doug's Famous Texas Sheet Cake

 

2 cups all purpose flour

2 cups granulated sugar

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 c sour cream

2 eggs

1 cup butter

1 cup water

5 TBSP unsweetened cocoa powder

FROSTING

5 TBSP unsweetened cocoa powder

6 TBSP milk

1/2 C butter

4 cups powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1 c chopped walnuts

Directions

• Step 1

  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 10x15 inch pan.

• Step 2

  Combine the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt. Beat in the sour cream and eggs. Set aside. Melt the butter on low in a saucepan, add the water and 5 tablespoons cocoa. Bring mixture to a boil then remove from heat. Allow to cool slightly, then stir cocoa mixture into the egg mixture, mixing until blended.

• Step 3

  Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

• Step 4

  For the icing: In a large saucepan, combine the milk, 5 tablespoons cocoa and 1/2 cup butter. Bring to a boil, then remove from heat. Stir in the confectioners' sugar and vanilla, then fold in the nuts, mixing until blended. Spread frosting over warm cake.

Recipe Source

All Recipes

Orange Dipping Sauce (for Coconut Shrimp & Spring Rolls)

 

1/2 c orange marmalade

1/4 c honey

1/4 c dijon mustard

4 drops hot pepper sauce (such as Tabasco)

Mix orange marmalade, honey, Dijon mustard, and hot sauce in a bowl. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until serving time.

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Holiday Chex Mix

 

3 cups Rice Chex cereal

3 cups Corn Chex cereal

3 cups Golden Graham cereal

1 1/2 cups mixed unsalted, or lightly salted nuts (a nut blend is really good!)

2 cups shredded sweetened coconut

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup light corn syrup

3/4 cup melted salted butter

1 tsp vanilla (optional)

1.  In a large mixing bowl, toss together the Rice Chex cereal, Corn Chex cereal, Golden Graham cereal, mixed nuts and coconut.  

2.  In a medium sauce pan combine granulated sugar, butter and corn syrup.  

3.  Bring mixture to a boil over medium high heat, stirring occasionally.  Allow mixture to boil for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.  

4.  Remove from heat and carefully pour sugar mixture over cereal mixture and toss evenly to coat.  

5. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.  

Tips for this Recipe

• Don’t just simmer the mixture for 2 minutes let it come to a boil then start counting down the two minutes.
• Don’t skip the coconut even if you aren’t normally a fan. It’s not overpowering here, it blends in with the flavors nicely.
• You can use one type of nut, but if you have multiple on hand go for a blend. Peanuts, sliced/slivered almonds, cashews, pecans or walnuts are all great choices.
• You can use unsalted butter if that’s what you’ve got on hand. Then just add a heaping 1/4 tsp salt to the sugar mixture before cooking.

Recipe Source:

Cooking Classy

Crab Salad

 

1 pound imitation crab

1 shallot minced (or sub red onion)

1/2 c mayonnaise

1/2 c celery minced

1/2 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp dill

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

1.  In a large bowl, add all the ingredients together gently, stirring until well coated.  

2.  Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.  

Recipe Source:

Dinner Then Dessert

Shonk's Green Bean Casserole

 

Makes one large 8 x 10 pan big enough for leftovers

Can half recipe if serving a smaller group

2 cans (10 1/2 oz) Campbell's Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup

1 C milk

2 tsp soy sauce

dash of black pepper

8 cups cooked cut green beans (I like French cut beans from the freezer section)

2 containers French's French Fried Onions

about 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional but makes it yum!)

Step 1:  Stir the soup, milk, soy sauce, black pepper, thawed green beans and cheese in an 8x10 casserole dish.  Cover with aluminum foil.  

Step 2: Bake at 350 degrees for 40ish minutes or until the bean mixture is hot and bubbling.  If halving the recipe, only 25ish minutes are needed for baking.  

Step 3: Uncover.  Add second container of French Fried Onions on top.  Bake for 5 minutes or until the onions are golden brown.  

Recipe source: Campbells.com

Meatballs

I recently made this recipe when our local tiny commissary in South Korea was out of meatballs and I needed them for a baby shower for my friend Diana!  Many people said they liked them and I realized maybe I should make homemade meatballs more often vs buying store bought ones haha!  This recipe is easy and versatile.  Use these for party meatballs, spaghetti and meatballs, meatballs subs, etc. My new go-to meatball recipe!

1 beaten egg 

1/2 c bread crumbs (Garlic & Herb for party meatballs, Italian for spaghetti)

1/4 c finely chopped onion

1/8 tsp garlic powder

1/8 tsp black pepper

8 oz lean ground beef

If putting meatballs in a sauce of some kind, you don't need to add any additional salt.  If you were having them as a stand alone item without any sauce, add a little bit of salt, maybe 1/2 tsp or so.  

Place all items in a big bowl and mix with hands until well combined.  Then form standard sized meatballs (about golf ball sized or a little smaller)  and place on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet.  Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.  

Recipe Source: Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book, page 492 (adapted by me)

Picture Source: I Heart Nap Time